Union County residents can drop off old documents, scrap metal and household chemicals at five free recycling events in September and October, all drive-up and contact-free.

The county announced the schedule on Tuesday, Aug. 25, according to Patch. The lineup includes two paper shredding dates, two scrap metal collections and a final household hazardous waste day. Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights residents are eligible. All sites are in neighboring towns.

Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek said the programs "make it easier for residents to securely dispose of personal documents and responsibly recycle items that should not enter the regular waste stream."

Paper shredding

Two mobile shredding events run rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until trucks reach capacity:

  • Friday, Sept. 18 — Westfield Pool Parking Lot, 713 Cumberland St., Westfield
  • Saturday, Sept. 26 — UCNJ Parking Lots 5A/5B, 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford

Residents may bring up to four bags or boxes per vehicle, each weighing no more than 10 pounds. Only confidential documents are accepted. Remove bindings and large clips before arriving. Staples are fine, but pre-shredded, damp or wet paper will be turned away. Businesses are not eligible.

Scrap metal

The Scrap Metal Recycling Program runs from 9 a.m. to noon on two dates:

  • Thursday, Sept. 3
  • Saturday, Sept. 19

Either date, residents may use either location: the Emergency Services Complex, 151 Kenilworth Blvd., Cranford, or the Rahway River Park Service Yard, 3 Parkway Dr., Rahway. Accepted items include refrigerators and freezers with doors removed, metal cabinets, appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, air conditioners, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, metal fencing, tire rims and wire hangers.

Household hazardous waste

The season's final Household Hazardous Waste event is Sunday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools' West Hall parking lot, 1776 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains.

Accepted materials include oil-based paints, motor oil and filters, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides and fluorescent bulbs. Latex paint, medical sharps and pressurized welding gas or oxygen cylinders are not accepted.

How it works

All events are drive-up only. Residents stay in their vehicles while staff removes materials from trunks.

For details, call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Upcoming recycling dates

  • Sept. 3 — Scrap metal, Cranford or Rahway, 9 a.m.–noon
  • Sept. 18 — Paper shredding, Westfield, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Sept. 19 — Scrap metal, Cranford or Rahway, 9 a.m.–noon
  • Sept. 26 — Paper shredding, Cranford, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Oct. 25 — Hazardous waste, Scotch Plains, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.